Razorback Student-Athletes Honored at Senior Awards Banquet

BY ANDRES FOCIL

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas Athletic Department honored its senior student-athletes with an inaugural awards banquet in the Raymond Miller Hall of Champions Thursday.

Student-athletes received senior rings while graduating student-athletes from the December, May and summer semesters received diploma plaques from Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long.

In addition, several individual standouts were honored for accomplishments both in and out of their playing arenas.

“It was an honor and privilege to host our outstanding senior student-athletes at the first annual Senior Awards Banquet,” Long said. “The evening was truly a celebration of their accomplishments and their growth as young women and men athletically, academically and socially. This special class of Razorbacks has brought honor to the University with their accomplishments in the classroom, on the fields of competition and in the community. We wanted to take the opportunity to say thank you for their commitment and dedication. Even though their collegiate careers are coming to an end at the University of Arkansas, they will always be Razorbacks.”

Among those recognized were the Razorback Senior Student-Athlete of the Year, the Brandon Burlsworth Scholar Athlete Award, the Brad Davis SEC Community Service Award, the SEC H. Boyd McWhorter Post Graduate Scholarship and Razorback Student-Athlete Scholar of the Year Award.

The 2008 Razorback Senior Student-Athletes of the Year were Stacy Lewis from the golf team and Sonny Weems from basketball.This award is presented to seniors who have promoted Razorback Athletics through his or her outstanding athletic achievements at the University, SEC and National levels.

The Brandon Burlsworth Scholar-Athlete Award is named for former Razorback football player Brandon Burlsworth whose life was cut short by a tragic accident after he graduated.The award is presented to senior student-athletes who exemplify Burlsworth’s ideals including good moral character and who have demonstrated a desire to excel in the classroom and who have a commitment to the improvement of the University of Arkansas and its surrounding communities.This year’s winners are track and field athlete Tyler Hill and gymnast Emily Peacock.

Peacock and track and field athlete Kent Austell were honored with the 2008 Brad Davis SEC Community Service Award.This award recognizes outstanding and meritorious community service achievements of one male and one female student-athlete from each institution during his or her entire collegiate career. Named after former SEC Associate Commissioner Brad Davis, the award includes a $2,000 post graduate scholarship to be used beyond the baccalaureate degree for pursuit of a graduate or professional degree.

Lewis and Hill returned to the stage as they were honored with the H. Boyd McWhorter Post Graduate Scholarship.This award is the highest honor a student-athlete can receive in the SEC.These student-athletes have made a difference off the playing field and have served society while making us better people living in a better society. This is a $5,000 post graduate scholarship to be used beyond the baccalaureate degree for pursuit of a graduate or professional degree.

The honors for the track and field team continued as senior Brent Rosson joined soccer’s Allison Harris as the winners of the Razorback Senior Student-Athlete Scholar of the Year honorees.This award ispresented to the male and female student-athlete who demonstrates an unwavering commitment to academic achievement and excellence while competing in their chosen sport. The recipient must maintain a high GPA and exemplary academic standing within the University.

The evening concluded with a senior highlight video and closing remarks.The awards banquet will become an annual event for Razorback senior student-athletes.

For more information about Razorback Athletics and the individuals mentioned above, please log to Hogwired.com and LADYBACKS.COM.